Every believer who has walked out some tough days in life knows that when we walk through a valley of tears, pain, loss, and disillusionment, “God walks beside us.”

God is closest when we are in the crisis and storm, surrounding us with His presence, deep… oh so very deeply inside that place that he hovers and dwells in us. He has promised this!

Sometimes we just must continue on doing what we have to do in the present “right now” moment, and while doing so, keep singing through the darkness with our eyes on the horizon.

Dawn has to this date, so far, never failed to arrive!

God’s authentic, nurturing STRONG love continues to sing its humble song, and will repeat its melody again and again.

When we try to navigate life’s troubled and rough waters, God is not only the Master of the waves — He is also Master of the ship.

He never abandons US. He will see our journey through to the final and planned destination, (Philippians 1:6). But often, we are SUCH stubborn creatures who struggle and resist, and we are very slow to learn. (Oh yes…… it’s true isn’t it?!)

We actually learn the least when the sun is shining and when the winds are light and simply a pleasant breeze that we bask along in.

Blissful lack of human engagement and abundant prosperity have never provided to be effective learning places for training and overcoming in life.

Crisis and catastrophe on the other hand, offer “Master’s Degrees” — that makes you and I a “Master of Disaster.” It’s called the school of hard knocks!

Through it all, God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28) that is, if we yield to Him. It is absolutely required that we cling to His promise of the continual developing of our faith!

Hey there! Be totally confident of this!

No matter what, you must never forget that when you are in the deep and dark mist of trouble, God is still busy doing work in you (Philippians 2:13), though He may be doing it all out of your range of vision.

When we eventually realize, ( yes… it takes time) that He is in control, we are filled with joyful relief and we are greatly comforted. When we come to the sobering realization that our resources are fully used up, that is when we learn that God is more than a refuge — He is also our strength.

Just place a “God at Work” sign into that scar where your troubles have taken their toll — He is involved in a VERY expensive renovation. He is perfecting you.

You may be paying the bill up front, but you are going to like the beautiful new design and “upgrades” that He is fashioning out of your life.

When we begin to look at our difficulties from the examples in the psalms, our depression fades; our hope grows and our love for God is intensified.

David’s final cry to God at one point was that God “keep up the good work in me!”

“Lord, continue the work you have begun in me!” Psalm 138:8.

Don’t gripe, be a crab, grump, sulk and develop a hard heart. It paralyzes you and alienates those who could weather the hard time with you.

Above all, let it never be said of you that you became cold and indifferent to the losses, sufferings or difficulties of others around you.

Allow that edgy conviction of the Holy Spirit to break up once and for all, those critical and condescending attitudes, and permit the fresh flow of humility to cleanse you from presuming to understand and judging the battles others are fighting.

Humility and spiritual sobriety are attractive character traits of a broken and storm weathered believer!
What we receive and mature in from disturbing and difficult moments depends upon how we respond.

“Why this, Lord?” you might ask.
“Why now?”
“Why not later?”
“Why not someone else?”
We all ask the WHY questions.
They are a natural part of being human.

But we can actually ask better questions!

We can ask WHAT questions:
“What Lord?”
“What would You have me do?”
“What are You trying to teach me?”

Take a few minutes to chew and ponder over the words of Psalm 71;

“In Y-O-U, Oh LORD, I put my trust. . .
Bend down Your ear close to me, and save me.
Don’t cast me off in the time of old age;
Don’t forsake me when my strength fails.
O my God, please hurry and help me. . .
. . .You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,
Carry me up again from the depths and sorrow of the earth. And I will speak of your righteousness, your kindness and goodness, all the day long.”

I’ll say it one more time becasue it’s so goooood and so true;

“God’s authentic, nurturing STRONG love continues to sing its humble song, and will repeat its melody again and again.”

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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